Electrical connector, sleeve, and method for assembling

ABSTRACT

Means for uniting an electrical connector which terminates an electrical cable and in insulating sleeve therefor is provided, detent engaging means with at least one perpendicular radial wall in the connector for interaction with a collar within the insulating sleeve, such collar having a detent portion capable of locking engagement with said detent engaging means, providing such means for unification. Embodiments employing a niche, a groove and a stud as such detent engaging means are shown.

United States Patent Newman [45 Aug. 1,1972

[54] ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR, SLEEVE,

AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING [72] Inventor: Albert P. Newman, Springfield Township, Hamilton County, Ohio [73] Assignee: TKDI & Sealtron Corporation Thompson ..'.287/ l 19 l/l959 Arson ..339/91 X 2,056,739 10/1936 Rebezzana ..339/90 C X 2,366,747 l/l945 Moody ..339/259 X 2,428,214 9/1947 Gorey ..339/255 X 2,288,918 7/1942 Parker ..339/213 T X 2,427,182 9/1947 Bergan ..339/ 204 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 539,811 9/1941 Great Britain ..339/213 Primary ExaminerRichard E. Moore Attorney-Mellville, Strasser, Foster & Hoffman 57] ABSTRACT Means for uniting an electrical connector which terminates an electrical cable and in insulating sleeve therefor is provided, detent engaging means with at least one perpendicular radial wall in the connector for interaction with a collar within the insulating sleeve, such collar having a detent portion capable of locking engagement with said detent engaging means, providing such means for unification. Embodiments employing a niche, a groove and a stud as such detent engaging means are shown.

8 Claims, 23 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAUB 1 I972 SHEET 1 OF 4 INVENTOR. ALBERT P. NEWMAN ATTORNEY PATENTEDAU: 1 I972 3.681. 742

SHEET 2 [IF 4 FIG.8

FIG.9

IN'VENTOR.

ALBERT P. NEWMAN ATTORNEY PATENTEDAUB 1 m2 Sn'EET 3 OF 4 INVENTOR.

ALBERT P. iNEWMAN ATTORNEY FIG.20

I I6 ,ll6

-22 FIG.23

INVENT ALBERT P. NEW A ATTORNEY ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR, SLEEVE, AND METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 701,242, filed Jan. 29, 1968, now abandoned.

This invention relates to electrical cable connectors,

. and more particularly to electrical connector means which may be affixed to the ends of electrical cables so that releasable interconnection between lengths of cable may be made.

The electrical connector art as reflected in the patent literature has progressed from the provision of reliable, releasable, interengageable connector elements as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,477,818 to Murdock, and now contemplates the use of preformed insulating sleeves which may, together with the connector element, be assembled onto the end of an electrical cable as may be seen, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.

3,143,384 to R. Senior, Jr. Through the use of the teachings of such prior art, repair or replacement, or a new installation, may be made in the field by those enterprises which find it necessary or desirable to have means for releasably interengaging separate lengths of electrical cable. Among others, such enterprises include those where welding is carried out, particularly where the actual welding is likely to occur at a distance remote from the power source for the welding equip ment such as may be the case in shipyards.

The present invention relates to an improvement in structure and method of assembling an electrical connector element and a preformed insulating sleeve therefor onto the end of an electrical cable. In making such assemblies, it is necessary to see to it that there is a secure attachment between electrical cable and connector element. Beyond, this, it is necessary also to make provision that the insulating sleeve, which is part of the assembly and provides protection against exposure to possibly harmful electrical contact by users of the equipment, be retained in place about the connector element, as well as about the juncture between connector element and conductive strands of electrical cable, so that adequate protection of user and electrical cable line are both provided.

The present invention has for its primary object the provision of a novel insulating sleeve construction which may be united with an electrical connector element in the manner just indicated to be desirable, by the use of which effective integration of sleeve and con nector may be made in much more facile fashion than has heretofore been possible. When the present invention is employed, the connector element is simply moved into its position within the insulating sleeve, and thereupon sleeve connector and cable may be unitized very positively and quickly through interaction of novel elements integrated into sleeve and connector respectively.

Those versed in the electrical connector art are aware of the fact that complementary electrical connector elements are alternatively used on opposing cable ends. The present inventive device is equally applicable in making assemblies of male and female electrical connector elements to cable ends.

The drawings illustrate the present invention, and a brief description of what each shows is as follows:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a male electrical connector which has been assembled onto the end of an electrical cable, an insulating sleeve embodying a first embodiment of the present invention being shown prior to assembly with the connector; 7

FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 1 in which the insulating sleeve has been moved into protective position about the electrical connector element;

FIG. 3 is an end view, shown separately for purposes of clarity, of the collar which is molded into the interior of the insulating sleeve seen in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the collar seen in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the collar seen in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the electrical connector with electrical cable secured therein, which connector is seen in perspective in the assembly views, FIGS. 1 and FIG. 7 is a top view of the electrical connector seen in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a second embodiment of the present invention, showing electrical connector and sleeve with collar molded thereinto, in which embodiment the connector enters the sleeve at the rear end thereof;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the electrical connector seen in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side view of a third embodiment of the present invention, showing electrical connector, cable secured thereto, and insulating sleeve with collar molded interiorly thereof;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the electrical connector shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the collar molded into the insulating sleeve in the third embodiment seen in FIG. 10, the collar here being shown separately for purposes of clarity,

FIG. 13 is an end view of the collar seen in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the collar seen in FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention, showing connector and sleeve prior to interengagement;

FIG. 16 is a section taken at 16-16 in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a top view of the collar seen in FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is an end view of the collar seen in FIG. 15;

FIG. 19 is a side view of the collar seen in FIG. 15;

FIG. 20 is a side view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention in which connector and cable are united and shown separately from the insulating sleeve which is depicted in section in order to disclose the collar interiorly disposed therein;

FIG. 21 is a top view of the collar seen in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a end view of the collar seen in FIG. 20; and

FIG. 23 is a side view in section of the collar seen in FIG. 20. t I

As heretofore suggested, the present invention has to do with the interrelationship between an electrical connector and an insulating sleeve therefor. Those skilled in the art are familiar with the fact that male and female connectors are used and by their interengagement,

electrical connection between otherwise separate lengths of electrical cable may be made. It is deemed unnecessary to show in the drawings both male and female connectors employing the present invention because such employment is made in the same manner with connectors of either type. Accordingly, only a male connector is depicted, though it will be understood that the present invention may just as readily be employed with a female connector. In addition, it will be understood that the present invention may be employed with connectors other than that of the specific type here illustrated.

A first embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-7. Male connector has crimp sleeve portion 11 which is crimped about electrical cable 12 in known manner in order to secure connector 10 to the cable. The connector 10 has a forward portion 13 for interengagement with a female connector, not shown, also in known manner. Shank portion 14 of male connector 10 is of greater diameter either than crimp portion 11 or forward portion 13.

Stud 15 projects outwardly from such shank portion. The stud illustrated is circular in cross section, has a wall 16 extending upwardly substantially perpendicular to a surface of connector 10, namely the surface of shank portion 14, and an inclined surface 17 rising from forward edge 18 to high point or plateau 19, such stud 15 functioning in the manner hereinafter to be described.

An insulating sleeve 22 is provided which may be of resilient material such as neoprene, though a rigid insulating material could also be used. Sleeve 22 has an internal bore passing therethrough and includes a collar 23 molded into the interior of such insulating sleeve 22 so that the collar 23 encircles the bore. Collar 23 is preferably made of metal such as aluminum and is molded into sleeve 22 to provide the means in conjunction with stud 15 whereby when sleeve 22 is moved into position to afford insulating protection to connector 10, the sleeve will be maintained in such protective relationship to the connector.

The way in which this is effected is for collar 23 to include means for retaining stud 15 once the stud has been moved into proximity with the collar. FIGS. 3-5 show elevational views of the collar 23 indicated in perspective in FIGS. 1 and 2. It will be understood that the collar shown in such FIGS. 3-5 in use is molded into sleeve 22 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2. Collar 23 has a stud receiving recess 24, and disposed between such recess 24 and the front edge 25 of collar 23, a concave canted detent portion 26. Detent portion 26 has its maximum concavity at edge 27 and slopes inwardly from 27 towards recess 24 to edge 28, where it has its minimum concavity. Hole 29 is provided in collar 23 to assist in retention of collar 23 within the sleeve following the molding of the sleeve.

Referring now to FIG. 1 and describing how the sleeve 22 and connector 10 there shown reach the relationship represented in FIG. 2, sleeve 22 is disposed relative to stud 15 in such manner that inclined surface 17 on such stud and the maximum concavity 27 of detent portion 26 face each other. Button 30 is molded on the exterior of sleeve 22 directly above detent portion 26 providing ready external locating means for such detent. After cable 12 is crimped to portion 1 1 of the connector, resulting in the relationship seen in FIG. 1, sleeve 22 may be moved toward insulating position by an operator pulling such sleeve along cable 12, and this means that collar 23 will be moved towards stud l5. Alignment of detent portion 26 and stud 15 may be assured visually by lining up button 30 and stud 15. In addition, a keyway along the interior bore of sleeve 22 may be provided to guide stud 15 so that it will pass beneath detent portion 26. When edge 27 of detent portion 26 reaches stud 15, the leading edge of inclined surface 17 will pass beneath edge 27 thereof.

As sleeve 22 is moved further into covering relationship with connector 10, detent portion 26 will ride up on stud 15 until the plateau atop such stud forces edge 28 of minimum concavity of detent portion 26 outwardly. Finally, stud 15, with further movement of sleeve 22, will move into recess 24. When stud 15 has reached this position, detent portion 26 will spring back to original position and edge 28 thereof will block withdrawal of the stud from the recess thus locking the connector 10 and the sleeve 22 together so that there can be neither mutual rotary nor axial movement between them. In order for detent portion 26 to spring back to blocking position, collar 23 (and strip 26 therein) should be of resilient material. I have found heat treated aluminum, temper designation T4, suitable for this purpose. (Separation of the connector and sleeve can be achieved by temporarily upwardly deflecting edge 28 of the detent portion, as by inserting a screwdriver beneath it and forcing it upwardly, whereupon the stud could be pulled out of recess 24.)

Another mode of applying the same inventive elementsas is shown in FIGS. l-7 may be seen in FIGS. 8 and 9. In this mode, interrelationship between connector and sleeve is achieved by pulling the connector into the sleeve through the smaller end of the sleeve. Thus, connector 33 having crimp tube 34 crimped to cable 35, also has a shank portion 36. Stud 37 projects from shank portion 36, stud 37 having a wall 38 rising upwardly substantially squarely from shank portion 36. Inclined surface 39 rises from a forward edge 40 to plateau 41 of the stud.

Sleeve 46 seen in FIG. 8 for cooperating with connector 33 has molded thereinto collar 47, collar 47 being identical with collar 23 seen in the first embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-7, except that it is disposed within sleeve 46 with its concave canted detent portion 48 facing toward the smaller end of the sleeve. Detent portion 48 rises upwardly to edge 49 of maximum concavity from edge 50 of minimum concavity adjacent stud receiving recess 51. Hole 52 in collar 47 again permits the sleeve material to flow in and around collar 47, thereby assisting in securing such collar within the sleeve. Button 53 is molded on the outside of sleeve 46 directly above detent portion 48 to provide ready means for locating such detent portion.

By means of tools well known in the art, connector 33 to which cable 35 has been secured by crimping may be pulled into sleeve 46 through its smaller end 56, and stud 37 may be guided to strip 48 by visually aligning stud 37 and button 53. Inclined surface 39 of stud 37 will pass under canted detent portion 48 until plateau 41 lifts edge 50 of minimum concavity thereof and then passes into recess 51, whereupon canted detent portion 48 will spring back to original position to obstruct withdrawal of the stud 37, and hence connector 33, from within sleeve 46.

Another embodiment of the present inventive concept is shown in FIGS. 10-14, FIGS. 10 and 11 teaching the connector and sleeve interrelationship, while FIGS. 12-14 show the details of the collar which is employed in this embodiment. Connector has a crimped portion 61 into which cable 62 is secured by crimping, and a shank portion 63. Stud 64 projects outwardly from shank portion 63, and its peripheral wall 65 rises substantially vertically from shank portion 63.

Sleeve 70 has an internal bore therethrough, and molded into the body of such sleeve so that it encircles such bore is collar 71. Collar 71 is separately shown in FIGS. 12-14 for purposes of clear description, but it will be understood that such collar is not used separately, but only when molded within sleeve 70. Collar 71 has a stud receiving recess 72 and a forward edge 73. The portion of collar 71 disposed between recess 72 and forward edge 73 is bent upwardly to provide raised detent portion 74. Hole 75 in collar 71 is present to assist in maintaining the collar within the sleeve when molded thereinto. Collar 71 is cut across its entire width at 76.

Referring now to FIG. 10, cable 62 and sleeve 70 may be grasped, and sleeve 70 manually pulled towards connector 60. A button 77 or other external locating means provided on the outside of sleeve 70 just above the location of raised strip 74 provides a means so that as sleeve 70 is moved towards connector 60, registry of raised strip 74 in the collar 71 and stud 64 can be made. As sleeve 70 and connector 60 are brought together, stud 64 passes beneath raised detent portion 74 into recess 72. After this occurs a downward force on raised detent portion 74 may be exerted by applying pressure on button 77 as by squeezing the sleeve in a vise or striking it with a hammer at this location, and thereby raised detent portion 74 will be deformed downwardly to obstruct withdrawal of stud 64 from recess 72, thereby achieving a firm union between connector 60 and insulating sleeve 70. I have found cold rolled steel to be a material which will suitably deform, and is therefore appropriate for the present application.

Just as it was possible to adapt the same elements shown first in FIGS. 1-7 for an arrangement where the connector entered the sleeve through its larger end, to an arrangement where the connector enters the sleeve through its smaller end as in FIGS. 8 and 9, so may the elements shown in FIGS. -14 be arranged for entry of connector into sleeve through the smaller end thereof. It is therefore not deemed necessary to cumulate the drawings herein in order to illustrate this expedient.

In the embodiment of the present invention seen in FIGS. -19, connector 80 is secured to cable 81 by crimping crimp portion 82 of connector 80 to such cable. Connector 80 has shank portion 83 and a niche 84 is formed in such shank portion. The walls of such niche 84 are substantially perpendicular to the surface of shank portion 83 in connector 80 as may best be seen in FIGS. 15 and 16. Collar 85 is disposed about the internal bore 86 through insulating sleeve 87. Detent portion 90 is formed in collar 85 by means of cuts 91 through the wall of collar 85. Post 92 is integrally mounted on such detent portion, and projects inwardly in the collar 85. Inclined surface 93 is present in post 92. Surfaces 94, 95, 96 and 97 in post 92 are all substantially perpendicular to the internal wall of collar 85 When connector 80 is drawn into the interior of sleeve 87, inclined surface 93 in post 92 encounters inclined surface 98 which causes detent portion 90 to lift. When connector 80 is then further drawn into sleeve 87 until post 92 reaches niche 84, post 92 will then fall into such niche, and detent portion will snap back to its original position. Because the internal walls of niche 84 are perpendicular and so are surfaces 94-97 in post 92, it will be appreciated that connector and sleeve 87 are integrated in such fashion that neither axial nor rotary motion between them is possible.

In the final embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 20-23, a connector 103 is shown, having a shank portion 104 with a stud member 105 projecting therefrom. The stud member has a wall 106 projecting substantially perpendicular to shank portion 104. A groove 107 is formed in shank portion 104, such groove having an inclined surface 108 and a perpendicular surface 109. Collar 113 disposed about interior bore 114 through sleeve 115 has a recess 116 therein and a detent portion 117 formed by cuts made at 118. Detent portion 117 has depressed tongue 119.

Upon introducing connector 103 into sleeve 115, the connector will penetrate into the interior of the sleeve until recess 116 reaches stud member 105 where, upon further movement of connector 103 into sleeve 115, such stud will enter the recess 116. Meanwhile as connector 103 is moving into sleeve 115, depressed tongue 119 on detent portion 117 will be lifted as it reaches inclined surface 120 in connector 103. With further movement of connector into sleeve, depressed tongue 119 will fall into groove 107. It will. then be understood that mutual axial movement of sleeve and connector is prevented by reason of opposition of wall 109 to depressed tongue 119, and opposition of the rear wall of recess 116 to stud member 105. Stud and recess interengagement also prevent mutual rotary movement between sleeve and connector.

While I have described specific embodiments of my invention it is apparent that changes and modifications may be made in any of those depicted, and though so changed and modified the result could still fall within the ambit of my invention.

lclaim:

1. An insulating sleeve for an electrical connector having stud means projecting therefrom, said sleeve comprising:

a tube of insulating material, said tube having an interior bore therethrough, and

a collar molded into said sleeve and disposed about said bore, said collar being pierced to provide a free detent portion therein and a surface normal to the axis of said sleeve in said detent portion, said collar having a stud receiving :recess therein, said detent portion being situated in said collar adjacent said recess,

said detent portion being resilient and canted upwardly away from said recess axially of said sleeve, whereby said insulating sleeve and an electrical connector may be united and mutual rotation and axial movement between them prevented.

2. An insulating sleeve for an electrical connector having detent engaging means therein, said sleeve including a tube of insulating material, said tube having an interior bore therethrough, and a collar having an edge, molded into said sleeve and disposed about said bore, said collar having a free, radially movable, detent portion therein adjacent to said edge of said collar, and a surface normal to the axis of said sleeve in said detent 7 portion, said detent portion being radially movable relative to the axis of said sleeve to a position in which said normal surface therein is capable of interacting with stud means projecting from an electrical connector, said stud means projecting from and electrical connector, said detent portion being resilient and canted upwardly away from said recess axially of said sleeve, said collar including a stud receiving recess therein, and said detent portion being situated in said collar adjacent said recess, whereby an electrical connector and said insulating sleeve may be united and mutual rotation and axial movement between them prevented when stud means in a connector is in said stud receiving recess.

3. An insulating sleeve as claimed in claim 2 wherein said detent portion is deformable in such manner that following deformation thereof, stud means in said stud receiving recess would be blocked against withdrawal.-

4. An insulating sleeve as claimed in claim 2 in combination with an electrical connector, said electrical connector having an external surface and comprising an interengaging portion for electrically interengaging a mating electrical connector, a holding and retaining portion for holding and retaining an electrical cable within said connector.

5. The combination of an electrical connector and an insulating sleeve therefor, said electrical connector having an external surface and comprising an interengaging portion for electrically interengaging a mating electrical connector, avholding and retaining portion for holding and retaining an electric cable within said connector, and detent engaging means in said connector having at least one wall substantially perpendicular to said external surface of said connector; said insulating sleeve including a tube of insulating material, said tube having an interior bore therethrough within which said electrical connector is disposed and a pair of spaced axial walls capable of engaging with said detent engaging means, and a collar having an edge molded into said sleeve and disposed about said bore, said collar having a free radially movable detent portion therein adjacent to said edge, and a surface normal to the axis of said sleeve in said detent portion, said normal surface in said detent portion being disposed to engage said detent engaging means, whereby rotational movement as well as axial movement of said sleeve and said electrical connector is prevented, said detent portion being radially movable to a position in which said detent engaging means can be disengaged from said detent portion and said connector and sleeve separated.

6. The combination of an electrical connector and an insulating sleeve therefor, said electrical connector having an external surface and comprising an interengaging portion for electrically interengaging a mating electrical connector, a holding and retaining portion for holding and retaining an electric cable within said connector, and detent engaging means in said connector having at least one wall substantially perpendicular to said external surface of said connector, said detent engaging means including a niche therein; said insulating sleeve including a tube of insulating material, said tube having an interior bore therethrough within which said electrical connector is disposed and a collar having an edge molded into said sleeve and disposed about said bore, said collar having a free radially movable detent portion therein adjacent to said edge, and a surface normal to the axis of said sleeve in said detent portion, said detent portion including an integral post member within said niche, whereby rotational movement as well as axial movement of said sleeve and said electrical connector is prevented, said detent portion being radially movable to a position in which said detent engaging means can be disengaged from said detent portion and said connector and sleeve separated.

7. The combination of an electrical connector and an insulating sleeve therefor, said electrical connector having an external surface and comprising an interengaging portion for electrically interengaging a mating electrical connector, a holding and retaining portion for holding and retaining an electrical cable within said connector, stud means projecting therefrom, and detent engaging means in said connector having at least one wall substantially perpendicular to said external surface of said connector, said detent engaging means comprising an annular groove; said insulating sleeve including a tube of insulating material, said tube having an interior bore therethrough within which said electrical connector is disposed, and a collar having an edge molded into said sleeve and disposed about said bore, said collar having a stud-receiving recess therein, and a free radially movable detent portion therein adjacent to said edge, and a surface normal to the axis of said sleeve in said detent portion, said detent portion disposed within said groove while said stud is disposed within said stud receiving recess, whereby rotational movement as well as axial movement of said sleeve and said electrical connector is prevented, said detent portion being radially movable to a position in which said detent engaging means can be disengaged from said detent portion and said connector and sleeve separated.

8. An insulating sleeve for an electrical connector having detent engaging means therein, said sleeve including:

a tube of insulating material, said tube having an interior bore therethrough, and

a collar having an edge, molded into said sleeve and disposed about said bore, said collar having a stud receiving recess therein and a free, radially movable, detent portion therein adjacent to said edge of said collar, and a surface normal to the axis of said sleeve in said detent portion, said detent portion being radially movable relative to the axis of said sleeve to a position in which said normal surface therein is capable of interacting with detent engaging means in an electrical connector to prevent mutual axial movement of said sleeve and a connector, said detent portion being capable of entering an annular groove having a substantially perpendicular wall in an electrical connector, while substantially simultaneously said stud receiving recess engages stud means projecting from the electrical connector, the substantially perpendicular wall in the connector being disposed to obstruct withdrawal of said detent means following any such interengagement, whereby an electrical connector and said sleeve may be united and mutual rotation and axial movement between them prevented. 

1. An insulating sleeve for an electrical connector having stud means projecting therefrom, said sleeve comprising: a tube of insulating material, said tube having an interior bore therethrough, and a collar molded into said sleeve and disposed about said bore, said collar being pierced to provide a free detent portion therein and a surface normal to the axis of said sleeve in said detent portion, said collar having a stud receiving recess therein, said detent portion being situated in said collar adjacent said recess, said detent portion being resilient and canted upwardly away from said recess axially of said sleeve, whereby said insulating sleeve and an electrical connector may be united and mutual rotation and axial movement between them prevented.
 2. An insulating sleeve for an electrical connector having detent engaging means therein, said sleeve including a tube of insulating material, said tube having an interior bore therethrough, and a collar having an edge, molded into said sleeve and disposed about said bore, said collar having a free, radially movable, detent portion therein adjacent to said edge of said collar, and a surface normal to the axis of said sleeve in said detent portion, said detent portion being radially movable relative to the axis of said sleeve to a position in which said normal surface therein is capable of interacting with stud means projecting from an electrical connector, said stud means projecting from and electrical connector, said detent portion being resilient and canted upwardly away from said recess axially of said sleeve, said collar including a stud receiving recess therein, and said detent portion being situated in said collar adjacent said recess, whereby an electrical connector and said insulating sleeve may be united and mutual rotation and axial movement between them prevented when stud means in a connector is in said stud receiving recess.
 3. An insulating sleeve as claimed in claim 2 wherein said detent portion is deformable in such manner that following deformation thereof, stud means in said stud receiving recess would be blocked against withdrawal.
 4. An insulating sleeve as claimed in claim 2 in combination with an electrical connector, said electrical connector having an external surface and comprising an interengaging portion for electrically interengaging a mating electrical connector, a holding and retaining portion for holding and retaining an electrical cable within said connector.
 5. The combination of an electrical connector and an insulating sleeve therefor, said electrical connector having an external surface and comprising an interengaging portion for electrically interengaging a mating electrical connector, a holding and retaining portion for holding and retaining an electric cable within said connector, and detent engaging means in said connector having at least one wall substantially perpendicular to said external surface of said connector; said insulating sleeve including a tube of insulating material, said tube having an interior bore therethrough within which said electrical connector is disposed and a pair of spaced axial walls capable of engaging with said detent engaging means, and a collar having an edge molded into said sleeve and disposed about said bore, said collar having a free radially movable detent portion therein adjacent to said edge, and a surface normal to the axis of said sleeve in said detent portion, said normal surface in said detent portion being disposed to engage said detent engaging means, whereby rotational movement as well as axial movement of said sleeve and said electrical connector is prevented, said detent portion being radially movable to a position in which said detent engaging means can be disengaged from said detent portion and said connector and sleeve separated.
 6. The combination of an electrical coNnector and an insulating sleeve therefor, said electrical connector having an external surface and comprising an interengaging portion for electrically interengaging a mating electrical connector, a holding and retaining portion for holding and retaining an electric cable within said connector, and detent engaging means in said connector having at least one wall substantially perpendicular to said external surface of said connector, said detent engaging means including a niche therein; said insulating sleeve including a tube of insulating material, said tube having an interior bore therethrough within which said electrical connector is disposed and a collar having an edge molded into said sleeve and disposed about said bore, said collar having a free radially movable detent portion therein adjacent to said edge, and a surface normal to the axis of said sleeve in said detent portion, said detent portion including an integral post member within said niche, whereby rotational movement as well as axial movement of said sleeve and said electrical connector is prevented, said detent portion being radially movable to a position in which said detent engaging means can be disengaged from said detent portion and said connector and sleeve separated.
 7. The combination of an electrical connector and an insulating sleeve therefor, said electrical connector having an external surface and comprising an interengaging portion for electrically interengaging a mating electrical connector, a holding and retaining portion for holding and retaining an electrical cable within said connector, stud means projecting therefrom, and detent engaging means in said connector having at least one wall substantially perpendicular to said external surface of said connector, said detent engaging means comprising an annular groove; said insulating sleeve including a tube of insulating material, said tube having an interior bore therethrough within which said electrical connector is disposed, and a collar having an edge molded into said sleeve and disposed about said bore, said collar having a stud-receiving recess therein, and a free radially movable detent portion therein adjacent to said edge, and a surface normal to the axis of said sleeve in said detent portion, said detent portion disposed within said groove while said stud is disposed within said stud receiving recess, whereby rotational movement as well as axial movement of said sleeve and said electrical connector is prevented, said detent portion being radially movable to a position in which said detent engaging means can be disengaged from said detent portion and said connector and sleeve separated.
 8. An insulating sleeve for an electrical connector having detent engaging means therein, said sleeve including: a tube of insulating material, said tube having an interior bore therethrough, and a collar having an edge, molded into said sleeve and disposed about said bore, said collar having a stud receiving recess therein and a free, radially movable, detent portion therein adjacent to said edge of said collar, and a surface normal to the axis of said sleeve in said detent portion, said detent portion being radially movable relative to the axis of said sleeve to a position in which said normal surface therein is capable of interacting with detent engaging means in an electrical connector to prevent mutual axial movement of said sleeve and a connector, said detent portion being capable of entering an annular groove having a substantially perpendicular wall in an electrical connector, while substantially simultaneously said stud receiving recess engages stud means projecting from the electrical connector, the substantially perpendicular wall in the connector being disposed to obstruct withdrawal of said detent means following any such interengagement, whereby an electrical connector and said sleeve may be united and mutual rotation and axial movement between them prevented. 